The National Lottery Heritage Fund has announced a £250,000 award to North East Lincolnshire Council to focus on Cleethorpes coastline’s natural heritage.
The latest award brings lottery investment in North East Lincolnshire to £10m since 2019, after five years of targeted support for heritage-led regeneration. The new grant will support a project called the Dynamic Understanding of the Natural Environment (DUNE).
This will explore options to save and better protect the fragile coastline. The focus will be particularly on Cleethorpes saltmarsh and sand dune habitats. This includes the site of special scientific interest (SSSI) designated area.
“This is great news for the borough and we welcome the investment to a key area of Cleethorpes,” said Conservative Cllr Henry Hudson, portfolio holder for environment and net zero. “The SSSI is an integral part of our ecosystem that needs preserving. With these new roles, there will be a solid foundation for the continued natural development of these areas.
“Collating vital information and working closely with the public allows us to greater understand the area’s environment and encourage the use of our other open spaces for the residents and visitors as the project continues.”
Between 2019 and 2024, North East Lincolnshire was an ‘Area of Focus’ for the National Lottery Heritage Fund. This meant it got targeted support to apply for project funding. More than 30 grants have been awarded to projects across the area in that time. This includes:
- Synergy Community Interest Company who received a grant of £9,999 to work with young people from underserved backgrounds and the LGBTQ+ community to uncover the History of Fish and Chips in Grimsby and Cleethorpes.
- Linkage Community Trust to deliver the Weelsby Hall project with £3.5m. Planning permission recently granted, it will restore and renovate three historic buildings on the estate, providing a training hub, sensory library, and sensory integration suite, as well as heritage interpretation for visitors to the site.
Helen Featherstone, North England director at the National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “At the Heritage Fund, we believe in the power of heritage to create positive and lasting change, now and in the future. We know that when our investments contribute to the long-term vision for a place, the benefits can be profound and long-lasting for its local community, visitors, and economy.
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“So, it is wonderful news that thanks to National Lottery players, the Heritage Fund’s support in the ‘DUNE’ project has taken our total investment across North East Lincolnshire since 2019 to an impressive £10m.”
Central to the new DUNE project is investing in skills and capacity to maintain the coastline with the recruitment of a research and engagement advisor. This post will build knowledge and relations across the area and develop future activities, including working with schools and using new digital technologies increasing access to information and heritage. A coastal ranger will also come on board to help protect the most sensitive areas of the SSSI, support ecological and bird surveys and educational activities.
An aerial view of the saltmarsh at Cleethorpes
(Image: North East Lincolnshire Council)
Ms Featherstone added: “Working with North East Lincolnshire Council has allowed us to understand the long term heritage ambitions of the areas. North East Lincolnshire remains a priority for the Heritage Fund through our initiative ‘Heritage Places’; a ten year programme to continue to support the heritage aspirations of the area, which leave a legacy for all to enjoy.”
The cash for DUNE is through the Heritage Places initiative. North East Lincolnshire is one of nine so far announced Heritage Places in the country. Twenty areas in total will share a dedicated £200m cash pot up to 2033.
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